Full fields and plenty of fan festivities are highlights of the Louisiana Legends card at Evangeline Downs Saturday night. Six stakes races, each with a purse of $75,000 for Louisiana-bred runners, are the featured events on a nine-race program that drew a total of 88 entries. The card also includes a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old Louisiana-bred runners.
In addition to the excellent card that was drawn, Evangeline Downs has many other attractions for race fans. Prior to the races, jockeys will be available for pictures and autographs in a meet and greet from 4:30-5:00pm and jockeys will be tossing t-shirts from the winner's circle after each stakes race. A Legends Night dance party with an 80's theme will take place in Mojo's after the races. There will be many food vendors with specialty foods and treats in the paddock area as well.
The stakes action kicks off with the $75,000 Soiree in the third race of the card. Multiple-stakes winner Free Like a Girl is the morning line favorite in race for 3-year-old fillies going one mile. She returns to face state-bred runners after finishing fourth behind Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath in her most recent start. Wholelottamo merits consideration after her runner-up finish in the Acadiana Stakes earlier in the meet.
The $75,000 Cheval, for 3-year-olds at the distance of one mile, brings together a competitive field of eight runners. Vodka Gimlet, Cosmic Train and More Memories have traded decisions in recent stakes races at Delta Downs and the Fair Grounds and all look to have big chances in the Cheval. But perhaps the most intriguing runner in the field is the recent maiden winner Touchuponastar, who was less than a second off the track record in a 21 ¼-length win at seven furlongs last out.
Net a Bear is the 2-1 morning line favorite over eight rivals in the $75,000 Turf Distaff at one mile on the turf. The Allen Landry trainee has won her last four races over turf courses and has a field topping seven career turf victories. Offspring, the defending champ of the Distaff, will be one of the runners looking to turn the tables on the favorite, as she has finished behind Net a Bear in her last four matchups.
Ova Charged has been installed as a solid 6/5 favorite over seven other runners in the $75,000 Mademoiselle over 5-1/2 furlongs for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares. A winner of four of five career starts, Ova Charged suffered her only defeat in a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Victory Ride stakes at Belmont last summer. Strong Beauty brings a two-race winning streak into the Mademoiselle and Snowball, cross-entered in the Distaff, will be looking to upset the potential heavy favorite.
A full field of 12 runners will fill the gate for the $75,000 Sprint over the 5-1/2 furlong distance. Yankee Seven, the moderate 5/2 morning line favorite, brings a four-race winning streak into the race. Alterana, a winner of six of his last seven races, and Bertie's Galaxy, winner of five of his last eight, are both accomplished runners that have terrific chances.
A very competitive field of 12 will line up in the $75,000 Turf over the 1-1/16 mile distance. Recent stakes winner Mangelsen has drawn the rail and is the morning line favorite at 5/2. Forestdungone and Jaci's Royalty have both won at the track this season, while a return to the turf could help wake up Treys Midnite Moon. Jax Man and Behemah Star are among the many runners that could take the Turf.
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships during the evening. Students are encouraged to attend the races and enter the drawing, with the winners to be selected after the fifth race. First post time Saturday will be 5:30pm Central Time.
For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website at www.evdracing.com and on Twitter @evdracing. The racing calendar for 2022 is a Wednesday through Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on August 27.
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.
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